Weight bearing it's doing my head in

Hi,

For me it's now been 5 months since I sustained my injury, 2 plates numerous screws, I've had 2 casts 4 weeks at a time, been in a boot since early May, I've also had to date 6 lots of physio, not yet walking but I'm getting good with the boot but still need the crutches but very close to ditching one crutch.

Hang in there, because when you think nothing's happening then suddenly you see a slight improvement which is very encouraging.

Bless ya!

I had my surgery may 2nd. Broke fibula. Had a plate and screws and a pin placed. I'm just today starting50% weight bearing. And I'm at 10 weeks. Hang in there is a long recovery.

Bit of a different op but I've had an ankle fusion on may 17th and it was only last week that I was told I can be partially weight baring. I have had a cast on for 6wks and now have the boot on for 10wks.

I know it's frustrating I totally get it as I'm on my 7th ankle op in 12yrs but the more you listen to what the ortho Drs are telling you the better your long term outcome will be.

Im not trying to scare you but you don't want to end up with multiple operations because your bones haven't healed. I'm a sister on a trauma unit and I see it every day of my working life. It causes horrid outcomes and disputation to people's lives.

Try and get engrossed in box sets of tv programmes or have list of films to watch...rubbish suggestions I know but it gives me something to do during the day whilst I'm home alone without my children and husband!

Let us know how you get on.

I had a trimalleolar fracture on October 28th of last year. Surgery the next day with a plate, screws and pins. One week after surgery I was put in a cast for 3 weeks and then a boot for about 4 weeks.  No weight bearing during this time.  It was hard to be patient, but important to follow doctors orders.  Then on Dec 21st, I was completely healed and the doctor said I can put weight on it.  I started physical therapy that day and had 6 sessions....and was walking up and down stairs by the last session.   It is a long healing process because it is a bad break.  Once I started walking, there was some pain and lots of swelling.  I would soak in warm to hot to cold water for 30 minutes twice a day to help with that.  But, I am proud to say that by Jan. 9th I was back to walking 4-5 miles and was back to golfing in Feb.   It will get better.  I found workouts on you tube to do with a boot and no weight bearing.  This helped to keep my sanity.  Good luck.  

Hi borolynn. I broke my ankle with bad dislocation 14 weeks ago. Waited 9days before operation because of swelling. In cast for week first cast for 4 then another cast 4weeks then in a boot with lwb for another 4 weeks. Now FWB with crutches. Been a long hard haul. Having physio every week then doing exercises every day, some days find it painful and ankle is so stiff. But think I'm getting a little better every week. Hang on there its not going to be easy, but you will get there. Sx

Lynn,

As you will note on this forum, ankle patient bone healing time-until-weight -bearing-permitted is all over the map-- from just a few weeks to months. Each case is unique, although the so-called 'average' bone healing period to PWB or FWB is about 6-8 weeks.

Reasons for these wildly varying bone healing waiting periods are many, but can include physician's opinions and experience, number of fractures and their location/severity, actual outcome of ankle surgery (if performed), patient age, health condition, diet, and habits (smoking inhibits bone mending-- I believe some painkillers can slow down healing response as well). And if you have good emotional coping skills that puts the odds in your favor.

Slow bone healing, and even non-unions (when bones won't fuse together normally) can be frustrating, but are probably in the minority (I'm not a doctor so I don't have exact numbers on outcomes).

Full compliance with your doctor's instructions (assuming you have a good doctor interested in your rapid recovery) is important. A nutritious, non-junk food diet will give you a leg up on faster recovery (remember, bones and tissues are now in a busy state of repair and need nutritional support).

One little secret to faster bone regeneration (bones don't actually repair themselves-- they regenerate inside/around fractures) is to use a PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) device to jump start the process. Even non-unions have been shown to respond well to this therapy. It has been well-researched and there is a lot of science evidence behind its efficacy-- well worth looking into if you need it. Odds are that your orthopedic surgeon will never mention it to you.

Good luck.

I'm diabetic which I've been advise which will slow recovery time and also he said my age aswell it's just so frustrating i go on holiday in 3 weeks but I'm back at the fracture clinic on the 27th I'm hoping he might let me light weight bear but I doubt it lol

Two different times. If you put weight on it, you will have to be off of it longer. It is a real pain in the ass but it will be worth it in the end. The first time my foot went through the bottom of the car and my foot was laying up on the inside of my leg. It was almost cut off. Then the second time they fused my ankle. Oh, I guess it has been three times. the third time I was given a medal ankle.

I know it's hard you just have to get int in your head you cannot step on it. and it will be over, it's not forever.  I was very lucky my husband was there to help me. I don't know what I would have done without him, Hopefully, you have support and help.

It will be ok, find something you like to do, read watch movies, sew, or crochet. Keep yourself busy. 

Good luck

I had a compound fracture on January 21st and I'm still not close to 50% of my normal routine. I also had a broken femur pelvis and hip in which there is a rod and screws there also. I was 12 weeks non-weight bearing.